Best Hiking Trails in Indiana

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Many people think of Indiana as a mostly flat state with lots of corn, and little else.  However, if you hop in your car and travel just a bit, you can find plenty of beautiful hiking trails to spend the day exploring.

1.) Shades State Park

Shades State Park is located in Waveland and is home to 11 different hiking trails ranging in difficulty from easy to rugged terrain. Complete with wooden bridges, sandstone canyons – including one named Devil's Punchbowl, and a few waterfalls, hikers can link together several of these short trails to get in a full day of activity.

2.) Turkey Run

Located a mere 10 minutes from Shades State Park in Marshall, Indiana, Turkey Run is its larger and more popular hiking cousin. Begin your hike with a walk across the exciting, and at times a little frightening, suspension bridge that will take you to several trails all offering scenic views and plenty of exercise.

3.) Knobstone Trail of Fun

Indiana's largest hiking trail at a length of 60 miles, this trail is home to many steep climbs and descents.  The trail begins in Borden, Indiana and ends in Salem, Indiana. It is a more rugged trail to hike, and also crosses several roads of varying sizes. This trail stretches across three counties and offers spectacular views of the Ohio River.

4.) Hemlock Cliffs at Hoosier National Forest

The trail to the Hemlock Cliffs begins in English, Indiana and is listed as a moderate level, 1.2 mile trail but shouldn't be overwhelming difficult for novice hikers. The trail offers views of waterfalls, canyons, cliffs, and caves making nearly each step of your hike a beautiful one.

5.) Charlestown State Park

Charlestown State Park is located in southern Indiana Clark County. Trail 3 will take hikers to the Rose Island Loop where there are remnants of a 1920's amusement park. Along this trail there are hand crank recorded stories helping visitors learn about a time before when the amusement park was alive.

6.) Clifty Falls State Park

The State Park, located in Madison, Indiana offers scenic trails for you and your dog (as long as you keep them on a leash). Trail 5 will lead you into a canyon, where you will find Trail 2 to head past the famous falls and beautiful cliffs. Taking Trail 3,4, or 5 will lead you back along an old railroad grade and will turn you out at a historic railroad tunnel with an interesting history.

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George Huizinga